Mary Esther Ratliff
Mt. Summit – Mary Esther (Kissick) Ratliff, 89, loving wife of the late Ted Ratliff, went home to be with her Lord on January 1, 2010, at Henry County Hospital, New Castle, IN.
Esther was born August 24, 1920, in Prairie Township, Henry County, IN., the eldest child of Espie and Ollie (Baty) Kissick. She resided in Mt. Summit for over 64 years where she was a graduate and salutatorian of the Mt. Summit High School, class of 1938. She was a member of the Mt. Summit Christian Church where she faithfully attended the Harvester’s Sunday School Class and was involved in many church activities throughout the years. Esther was employed by Henry County Hospital for 16 years as a nursing assistant where she is still remembered for her loving and gentle care of patients. She cherished her membership in the Cheemoh Home Economics Club where she was an active member and also, was on the County Quilt Committee for many years.
As a devoted mother, Esther loved spending time with her family and was a constant inspiration and role model. Her loving guidance and dedication to her family is her legacy. Her presence made life easier for everyone around her.
Surviving are her children: Linda Alexander and her husband Steve of Levering, MI; Barbara Cox and her husband Gary of Mt. Summit, and John Mark Ratliff and his wife Janice of Selma, IN: her grandchildren Kevin Cox (Cindy) of Cincinnati, OH; Brent Cox (Sharon) of North Wales, UK; Sean Beall of Boulder City, NV; Gabriel Ted Ratliff of Chicago, IL; Laura Winslow of Selma, IN; Robert Winslow of New York, NY; Stuart Winslow of Lake Mary, FL: her great-grandchildren Madeline Winslow, Niccole Cox, Hollis Cox, Jacob Cox, Dylan Tenerowicz, Zackary Tenerowicz, and Lucas Cox.
Also surviving are: her sister, Dorothy Mills of New Castle, IN, her brother, Claude Kissick of New Castle, her sister-in-law Patricia Kissick of New Castle, as well as, many special nieces and nephews and special caregiver Lara Conway.
Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Donald Kissick, son-in-law Stephen C. Farmer, and her sister-in-law Virginia Kissick.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Mt. Summit Christian Church with Rev. Mark O’Brien officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Summit Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Mt. Summit Christian Church or the Mt. Summit Cemetery Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at
www.hinsey-brown.com
.